Image forming system, control method for the same and recording medium

ABSTRACT

An image forming system comprises a display section, an input section, a setting section and an image forming section. The display section displays various reception images corresponding to various image formation settings on functions for image formation. The input section receives an input operation carried out by the user on a reception image. The setting section carries out an image formation setting corresponding to the reception image subjected to the input operation after the input section receives the input operation carried out by the user on the reception image displayed on the display section. The image forming section forms an image based on the image formation setting set by the setting section. The input section receives a single input operation as an input operation for the various image formation settings.

FIELD

Embodiments described herein relate generally to an image formingsystem, a control method for the same and a recording medium.

BACKGROUND

Various settings concerning the formation of an image can be set in animage forming apparatus such as an MFP (Multifunction Peripheral). Thesettings concerning the formation of an image are set by operating theicons displayed on a setting screen. There are many varieties ofsettings concerning the formation of an image. The operationscorresponding to the variety of settings are determined in the settingprocess for the image formation. In some cases, the user needs to carryout different operations corresponding to different types of imageformation, thus, it is difficult for the user to comprehend theoperations.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an external view exemplifying an image forming apparatusaccording to an embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram exemplifying the structure of an image formingsystem according to the embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram exemplifying a displayed print settingscreen according to the embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram exemplifying the next page of the printsetting screen according to the embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram exemplifying a displayed input operationregistration screen according to the embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating procedures of a print settingoperation according to the embodiment;

FIG. 7A is a schematic diagram exemplifying a change in a print settingscreen according to the embodiment;

FIG. 7B is a schematic diagram exemplifying a change in a print settingscreen according to the embodiment;

FIG. 7C is a schematic diagram exemplifying a change in a print settingscreen according to the embodiment;

FIG. 8A is a schematic diagram exemplifying a change from a printsetting screen to an input operation registration screen according tothe embodiment; and

FIG. 8B is a schematic diagram exemplifying a change from a printsetting screen to an input operation registration screen according tothe embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An image forming system comprises a display section, an input section, asetting section and an image forming section. The display sectiondisplays various reception images corresponding to various types ofimage formation settings relating to functions of image formation. Theinput section receives an input operation carried out by the user on anreception image. The setting section executes an image formation settingcorresponding to the reception image subjected to the input operation insuch a way that the input section receives the input operation carriedout by the user on the reception image displayed on the display section.The image forming section forms an image based on the image formationsetting set by the setting section. The input section receives a singleinput operation as an input operation by the user for the various typesof image formation settings.

Embodiments of an image forming apparatus are described below withreference to accompanying drawings in which the same parts are denotedby the same reference signs.

FIG. 1 is an external view exemplifying the whole structure of an imageforming apparatus 100 according to the embodiment. The image formingapparatus 100, which is, for example, an MFP, comprises a touch panel110, a control panel 120, a printer section 130, a sheet accommodationsection 140 and an image reading apparatus 200. Moreover, the printersection 130 of the image forming apparatus 100 may be a device forfixing a toner image or an inkjet system device.

The image forming apparatus 100 forms an image on a sheet using adeveloping agent such as a toner. The sheet is, for example, a paper orlabel paper. The sheet can be any object as long as the image formingapparatus 100 can form an image on the surface of the object.

The touch panel 110 displays various kinds of information relating tothe image forming apparatus 100. The touch panel 110 receives an inputoperation carried out by the user relating to a function or setting ofthe image forming apparatus 100. For example, the touch panel 110receives an input operation of selecting a required function such as acopy function from a plurality of functions.

The control panel 120 comprises a plurality of buttons. The controlpanel 120 receives an operation of the user. For example, the controlpanel 120 comprises a power button for turning on or off the powersource of the image forming apparatus 100. The control panel 120receives an input operation on the power button. The control panel 120outputs information corresponding to the operation of the user to acontrol section 50.

The printer section 130 forms an image on a sheet according to the imageinformation generated by the image reading apparatus 200 or the imageinformation received through a communication line. The printer section130 forms an image by, for example, carrying out the followingprocessing: the image forming section of the printer section 130 formsan electrostatic latent image on a photoconductive drum according to theimage information; the image forming section of the printer section 130forms a visible image by making a developing agent attached on theelectrostatic latent image, wherein the developing agent is, forexample, a toner; the transfer section of the printer section 130transfers the visible image onto a sheet; and the fixing section of theprinter section 130 heats or pressurizes the sheet to fix the visiblesheet on the sheet. Further, the sheet on which the image is formed is asheet housed in the sheet accommodation section 140 or a manually fedsheet.

The sheet accommodation section 140 accommodates a sheet which is usedin the printer section 130 for the formation of an image.

The image reading apparatus 200 reads the image information of a readingobject as light intensity. The image reading apparatus 200 records theread image information. The recorded image information may also be sentto another information processing apparatus via a network. The recordedimage information may be used for the formation of an image on a sheetby the printer section 130.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram exemplifying the structure of an image formingsystem 1 according to the embodiment. The image forming system 1comprises an image forming apparatus 100 and an input terminal 300. Theinput terminal 300 is connected through a network 5 with the imageforming apparatus 100 in a communicable manner. The network 5 is aninformation communication network such as an Internet or LAN (Local AreaNetwork).

The image forming apparatus 100 comprises a sending/receiving section10, a first input section 11, a display section 12, a second inputsection 14, an image reading section 20, an image forming section 30, astorage section 40 and the control section 50. The whole sections of theimage forming apparatus 100 are connected through an internal bus line15 and exchange data with each other by the internal bus line 15.

The sending/receiving section 10 sends various kinds of informationsupplied from the control section 50 to the input terminal 300. Thesending/receiving section 10 sends various kinds of information suppliedfrom the input terminal 300 to each section of the control section 50.For example, the sending/receiving section 10 supplies the print startinformation sent from the input terminal 300 to a machine controlsection 51.

The first input section 11 and the display section 12 are integratedinto the touch panel 110 which receives an input operation carried outby the user on a displayed icon. The first input section 11 is an inputdevice which receives an input operation of the user by detecting atouch on the screen of the display section 12. If the input operation ofthe user is received, the first input section 11 supplies inputoperation information corresponding to the received input operation tothe control section 50.

The display section 12 comprises a liquid crystal display or an organicEL display for displaying an image, characters and the like. The displaysection 12 displays an image corresponding to the display imageinformation supplied from the control section 50. The screens displayedon the display section 12 include a standby screen. The standby screenis a screen displayed on the display section 12 when the image formingapparatus 100 is in a standby state before each function of the imageforming apparatus 100 is executed. Icons corresponding to a copyfunction, a print function, a scan function and a faxing function aredisplayed on the standby screen. By carrying out an input operation onthe icon, the image forming apparatus 100 executes a functioncorresponding to the icon subjected to the input operation.

The second input section 14 is an input device for receiving an inputoperation on the control panel 120. For example, the second inputsection 14 receives a setting on a function of the image formingapparatus 100 through an input operation carried out by the user on thecontrol panel 120. If the input operation carried out by the user isreceived, the second input section 14 sends input operation informationcorresponding to the received input operation to the control section 50.

The image reading section 20 comprises a sensor such as a CIS (ContactImage Sensor) or a CCD (Charge Coupled Device). For example, the imagereading section 20 uses the sensor to read a sheet on which an originaldocument, characters or an image is or are recorded to generate digitaldata. Further, the image reading section 20 is contained in the imagereading apparatus 200 shown in FIG. 1.

The image forming section 30 prints an image or characters correspondingto the digital data on a sheet such as a printing paper. Not limited toprint system of fixing a toner image, the image forming section 30 mayalso print in an inkjet system or using another image formation system.Further, the image forming section 30 is contained in the printingsection 130 shown in FIG. 1.

The storage section 40 consists of a recording medium such as a flashROM or a HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or a combination of these recordingmediums. For example, the storage section stores programs, data andvarious information for controlling each section of the image formingapparatus 100. For example, the storage section 40 comprises a datastorage section 41 and a setting information storage section 42.

The data storage section 41 stores the various kinds of information anddata required by the execution of a function such as a copy function, aprint function, a scan function and a faxing function. For example, thedata storage section 41 stores information representing the function,the type or size of printing paper or the number of copies selected inthe image forming apparatus 100 through an operation of the user. Thedata storage section 41 stores the digital data generated in the readingof a sheet by the image reading section 20. The data storage section 41stores the digital data received by means of a faxing function when theimage forming apparatus 100 executes a faxing function. For example, theimage forming section 30 prints an image or characters corresponding tothe digital data stored in the data storage section 41 on a sheet.

The data storage section 41 stores initial status information. Theinitial status information represents the initial status of the imageforming apparatus 100. The initial status is set in advance. Forexample, the setting status of the image forming apparatus 100 when theimage forming apparatus 100 is initially launched after being deliveredfrom the factory is set to be the initial status.

The setting information storage section 42 stores setting statusinformation. The setting status information represents a setting statusof the image forming apparatus 100. The setting status of the imageforming apparatus 100 is, for example, a setting status representingwhich one of a copy function, a print function, a scan function and afaxing function is selected.

The control section 50 comprises a CPU (Central Processing section) or adedicated processor functioning as the control center of the imageforming apparatus 100. The control section 50 controls each section ofthe image forming apparatus 100. For example, the control section 50comprises a machine control section 51 and a setting status controlsection 52.

The machine control section 51 executes various functions by controllingthe operations of each section of the image forming apparatus 100. Thevarious functions include a copy function, a print function, a scanfunction and a faxing function. For example, the machine control section51 controls the operations of each section of the image formingapparatus 100 according to a function selected through an inputoperation of the user received by the first input section 11 or thesecond input section. Specifically, the machine control section 51controls the reading operation of the image reading section 20 accordingto the input operation of the user. The machine control section 51controls the storage of the digital data generated by the image readingsection 20 in the data storage section 41. Further, the machine controlsection 51 controls the reading of digital data from the data storagesection 41 or the printing of the read digital data by the image formingsection 30.

The machine control section 51 executes an image control to control thedisplay of an image on the display section 12 of the touch panel 110.For example, the machine control section 51 displays a standby screen onthe display section 12 when none of the functions such as a copyfunction is executed. Icons corresponding to the copy function, theprint function, the scan function and the faxing function are displayedon the standby screen. A function is executed after the user selects acorresponding icon and executes an input operation. The machine controlsection 51 starts a print job using a print function when print startinformation is sent from the sending/receiving section 10.

The setting status control section 52 controls the setting status of theimage forming apparatus 100. The setting status control section 52refers to the setting status information stored in the settinginformation storage section 42. By referring to the setting statusinformation, the setting status control section 52 changes the settingstatus of the image forming apparatus 100 into the setting status storedin the setting information storage section 42.

The input terminal 300 comprises an input section 301, a display section302, a storage section 303, a control section 304, a sending/receivingsection 305 and a screen switching section 306. The input section 301and the display section 302 are integrated into a touch panel whichreceives an input operation carried out by the user on a displayed icon.The input section 301 is an input device which receives an inputoperation of the user by detecting a touch on the screen of the displaysection 302. The input section 301 receives an input operation of theuser relating to a print setting. The input section 301 supplies inputoperation information corresponding to the received input operation tothe control section 304.

The display section 302 comprises a liquid crystal display or an organicEL display for displaying an image, characters and the like. The displaysection 302 displays an image corresponding to the display imageinformation supplied from the control section 304. The display imageinformation includes information of an image for a print setting.

The print setting refers to a setting on the type and the size of asheet used for the print using a copy or print function. FIG. 3 is aschematic diagram exemplifying a print setting screen displayed on thedisplay section 302. The example shown in FIG. 3 is a print settingscreen on which icons A11-A18 are displayed. The icons A11-A18 aredisplayed on the same screen. Print setting items include items such as‘Paper Size’, ‘Paper Source’, ‘Paper Type’, ‘Destination’, ‘Number ofCopies’ and ‘Orientation’. Item icons A11-A16 are set for the six printsettings. Specifically, an icon ‘Paper Size’ A11 is set for the item‘Paper Size’. An icon ‘Paper Source’ A12 is set for the item ‘PaperSource’. An icon ‘Paper Type’ A13 is set for the item ‘Paper Type’. Anicon ‘Destination’ A14 is set for the item ‘Destination’. An icon‘Number of Copies’ A15 is set for the item ‘Number of Copies’. An icon‘Orientation’ A16 is set for the item ‘Orientation’.

The item ‘Paper Size’ is an item for setting the size of the paper to beused. For example, the options provided in the item ‘Paper Size’ include‘Letter (8½×11″)’ and ‘Legal (8½×14″)’. The item ‘Paper Source’ is anitem for setting a paper feed method. For example, the options providedin the item ‘Paper Source’ include ‘Auto’ and ‘Manual’. The item ‘PaperType’ is an item for setting the type of the paper to be used. Forexample, the options provided in the item ‘Paper Type’ include ‘Normal’and ‘printing paper’.

The item ‘Destination’ is an item for setting a paper dischargingmethod. For example, the options provided in the item ‘Destination’include ‘Tray 1’ and ‘Tray 2’. The item ‘Number of Copies’ is an itemfor setting the number of the copies. A numeral such as ‘1’, ‘2’ or ‘3’is set in the item ‘Number of Copies’. The item ‘Orientation’ is an itemfor setting a print orientation. For example, the options provided inthe item ‘Orientation’ include ‘Portrait’ and ‘Landscape’.

The icon ‘Next’ A17 is an icon for the transfer to the next page of theprint setting screen. The second page of the print setting screen isdisplayed after an input operation is executed on the icon ‘Next’ A17.The icon ‘OK’ A18 is an icon for confirming a print setting. A printsetting is confirmed if an input operation is executed on the icon ‘OK’A18. After a print setting is confirmed, an icon ‘start printing’ isdisplayed on the display section 302. The input section 301 suppliesprint start information to the control section 304 after the icon ‘startprinting’ is operated. The print start information includes informationfor starting a print job and print setting information.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram exemplifying a next page of a printsetting screen. The example shown in FIG. 4 is a print setting screen onwhich icons A21-A28 are displayed. The icons A21-A28 are displayed onthe same screen.

Print setting items include items such as ‘Copy Handling’, ‘Duplex’,‘nUp’, ‘Staple’, ‘Hole Punch’ and ‘Folding’. Item icons A21-A26 are setfor the six print settings. An icon ‘Copy Handling’ A21 is set for theitem ‘Copy Handling’. An icon ‘Duplex’ A22 is set for the item ‘Duplex’.An icon ‘nUp’ A23 is set for the item ‘nUp’. An icon ‘Staple’ A24 is setfor the item ‘Staple’. An icon ‘Hole Punch’ A25 is set for the item‘Hole Punch’. An icon ‘Folding’ A26 is set for the item ‘Folding’.

The icon ‘Next’ A27 is an icon for the transfer to the next page of theprint setting screen. The print setting screen is transferred to thenext page after an input operation is executed on the icon ‘Next’ A27.The icon ‘OK’ A28 is an icon for confirming a print setting. A printsetting is confirmed after an input operation is executed on the icon‘OK’ A28.

The storage section 303 stores print setting information relating to theprint setting items. Specifically, the storage section 303 stores printsetting information of the items ‘Paper Size’, ‘Paper Source’, ‘PaperType’, ‘Destination’, ‘Number of Copies’, ‘Orientation’, Copy Handling′,‘Duplex’, ‘nUp’, ‘Staple’, ‘Hole Punch’ and ‘Folding’. For example, thestorage section 303 stores print setting information such as ‘Letter(8½×11″)’ or ‘Legal (8½×14″)’ which relates to the item ‘Paper Size’ asthe ‘Paper Size’.

Various input operations are available for inputting the icons A11-A18displayed on the display section 302. The user can input the itemsetting icons A11-A16 displayed on the same screen of the displaysection 302 by optionally carrying out a single one of the inputoperations.

For example, the input operations for the item setting icons A11-A16 are‘tap’, ‘flick’, ‘long press’, ‘pinch’, ‘stretch’ and ‘swipe’. Further,‘flick’, ‘swipe’, ‘pinch’ and ‘stretch’ are input operations fordetermining the movement track of an input operation. The movement trackincludes the movement track of a straight line extending in onedirection of a forward, a backward, a left, a right and an inclineddirection. The movement track includes a movement track formed by acombination of the foregoing movement tracks and having a reflectingpoint. In addition to linear movement tracks, there are also curvedmovement tracks. The storage section 303 stores the width or track of aninput operation as a movement track. The icons A11-A18 and the iconsA21-A28 can be input by an organic entity such as a finger. The inputoperation can also be executed using an inorganic entity such as a pen.

The user can register input operations for the icons A11-A18 and A21-A28in the storage section 303. The display section 302 displays an inputoperation registration screen for registering an input operation. FIG. 5is a schematic diagram exemplifying an input operation registrationscreen displayed on the display section 302. Character strings ‘Pleasespecify the operation method. You can print by the registered operation’is displayed on the input operation registration screen. An inputoperation input image B11 is displayed below the character stringsdisplayed on the input operation registration screen.

An icon ‘Undo’ B12 is displayed below the input operation input imageB11 displayed on the input operation registration screen. An icon‘Registration’ B13 is displayed on the right of the icon ‘Undo’ B12displayed on the input operation registration screen. If the useroperates the input operation input image B11, then an input operation isstored in the storage section 303 as a registered input operation. ‘Tap’is stored in the storage section 303 as an input operation registered bydefault before an input operation is registered using the inputoperation registration screen.

By inputting the input operation input image B11, the user can registera specified input operation as a registered input operation in the inputterminal 300. The registered input operation stored in the storagesection 303 is deleted when the icon ‘Undo’ 312 is operated. Byoperating the icon ‘Undo’ B12, the user can input a new input operationon the input operation input image B11 again. The input operation storedin the storage section 303 is stored as a registered input operationwhen the icon ‘Registration’ 313 is operated. If a registered inputoperation has stored in the storage section 303, the registered inputoperation is updated.

The control section 304 functions as the control center of the inputterminal 300. The control section 304 controls each section of the inputterminal 300. The control section 304 supplies the input operationinformation supplied from the input section 301 to the display section302, the storage section 303 and the sending/receiving section 305.

The control section 304 updates the content displayed by the displaysection 302 according to the input operation information supplied fromthe input section 301. For example, it is assumed that input operationinformation on the icon ‘Paper Size’ A11 is supplied from the inputsection 301 to the control section 304. In this case, the controlsection 304 updates the content displayed on the icon ‘Paper Size’ A11displayed on the display section 302. Specifically, it is assumed that‘Letter (8½×11″)’ is displayed on the icon ‘Paper Size’ A11. In thiscase, the control section 304 updates the content displayed on the icon‘Paper Size’ A11 to ‘Legal (8½×14″)’. The sending/receiving section 305sends the print start information sent from the control section 304 tothe image forming apparatus 100.

The screen switching section 306 is a button for switching the screendisplayed on the display section 302 through an operation of the user.If the user operates the screen switching section 306, then the screenswitching section 306 supplies screen switching information to thecontrol section 304. The control section 304 sends the supplied screenswitching information to the display section 302. After receiving thescreen switching information, the display section 302 switches thescreen displayed. If the screen switching information is supplied whenthe print setting screen is displayed, the display section 302 switchesthe print setting screen to the input operation registration screen.

Next, a print setting processing executed by the image forming system 1according to the embodiment to set a print setting is described withreference to FIG. 6. The print setting is executed by the input terminal300.

To start a print setting, the control section 304 displays a printsetting screen on the display section 302 (Act 10). Then, the controlsection 304 determines whether or not the screen switching section 306is operated (Act 20). Specifically, whether or not the screen switchingsection 306 is operated is determined according to whether or not screenswitching information is supplied from the screen switching section 306.The control section 304 determines that the screen switching section 306is not operated (Act 20: No) as no screen switching information issupplied from the screen switching section 306. In this case, thecontrol section 304 determines whether or not a page switching operationis executed to switch between the pages of the print setting screen (Act30). Specifically, the control section 304 determines whether or notinput operation information corresponding to an input operation for theicon ‘Next’ A17 is supplied from the input section 301. If inputoperation information corresponding to the input operation for the icon‘Next’ A17 is supplied from the input section 301, the control section304 determines that the page switching operation is executed.

After determining that the page switching operation is executed toswitch between the pages of the print setting screen (Act 30: Yes), thecontrol section 304 changes the page displayed on the display section302 (Act 40). After determining that no page switching operation isexecuted to switch between the pages of the print setting screen (Act30: No), the control section 304 executes the processing in Act 50without carrying out the processing in Act 40.

Sequentially, the control section 304 determines whether or not an inputoperation is executed on one of the setting item icons A11-A16 displayedon the display section 302 (Act 50). Specifically, the control section304 determines whether or not input operation information correspondingto an input operation of one of the setting item icons A11-A16 issupplied from the input section 301. If an input operation is executed(Act 50: Yes), the control section 304 determines whether or not theinput operation is the same as the registered input operation (Act 60).

If the input operation is the same as the registered input operation(Act 60: Yes), the control section 304 changes a print setting (Act 70).Specifically, the control section 304 updates the print settinginformation which is stored in the storage section 303 as print settingitems subjected to input operation. For example, if an input operationis executed on the icon ‘Paper Size’ A11, the control section 304updates the print setting information ‘Letter (8½×11″)’ of the icon‘Paper Size’ to ‘Legal (8½×14″)’ and stores the updated print settinginformation. Further, If none of the icons A11-A16 is operated (Act 50:No), the control section 304 proceeds to the processing in Act 80without changing existing print setting. If the input operation is notthe same as the registered input operation (Act 60: No), the controlsection 304 proceeds to the processing in Act 80 without changingexisting print setting.

Sequentially, the control section 304 determines whether or not an inputoperation is executed on the icon ‘OK’ A18 for confirmation displayed onthe display section 302 (Act 80). Specifically, the control section 304determines whether or not input operation information corresponding toan input operation for the icon ‘OK’ A18 is supplied from the inputsection 301. If the input section 301 supplies input operationinformation corresponding to the input operation for the icon ‘OK’ A18to the control section 304, the control section 304 determines that aninput operation is executed on the icon ‘OK’ A18.

After determining that an input operation is executed on the icon ‘OK’A18 (Act 80: Yes), the control section 304 confirms the print setting(Act 90). Then, the print setting processing is ended. On the otherhand, after determining that no input operation is executed on the icon‘OK’ A18 (Act 80: No), the control section 304 returns to carry out theprocessing in Act 10 to repeat the processing.

Further, if it is determined that the screen switching section 306 isoperated in Act 20 (Act 20: Yes), the control section 304 causes thedisplay section 302 to display the input operation registration screen(Act 110). Specifically, the control section 304 carries out a displaycontrol of causing the display section 302 to display the inputoperation registration screen.

Then, whether or not an input operation is executed on the inputoperation input image B11 on the input operation registration screen isdetermined (Act 120). Specifically, the control section 304 determineswhether or not the input operation information corresponding to an inputoperation for the input operation input image B11 is supplied from theinput section 301. If the input operation information corresponding tothe input operation for the input operation input image B11 is suppliedfrom the input section 301, the control section 304 determines that aninput operation is executed on the input operation input image B11.

If it is determined that an input operation is executed on the inputoperation input image B11 (Act 120: Yes), the control section 304 storesthe input operation executed on the input operation input image B11 inthe storage section 303 as a registered input operation (Act 130).Moreover, if it is determined that no input operation is executed on theinput operation input image B11 (Act 120: No), the control section 304directly carries out the processing in Act 140 without carrying out theprocessing in Act 130.

Sequentially, the control section 304 determines whether or not an inputoperation is executed on the icon ‘Registration’ B13 for confirmation(Act 140). Specifically, the control section 304 determines whether ornot input operation information corresponding to an input operation forthe icon ‘Registration’ B13 is supplied from the input section 301. Ifthe input operation information corresponding to the input operation forthe icon ‘Registration’ B13 is supplied from the input section 301, thecontrol section 304 determines that an input operation is executed onthe icon ‘Registration’ 313.

If determining that no input operation is executed on the icon‘Registration’ 313 (Act 140: No), the control section 304 returns tocarry out the processing in Act 120. Moreover, if determining that aninput operation is executed on the icon ‘Registration’ 313 (Act 140:Yes), the control section 304 returns to carry out the processing in Act10.

Next, a print setting set by operating the input section 301 isexemplified below. In the example, ‘tap’ is initially set as aregistered input operation. A print setting screen is displayed on thedisplay section 302 to carry out a print setting, as shown in FIG. 7A.The icon ‘Paper Size’ A11, the icon ‘Paper Source’ A12, the icon ‘PaperType’ A13, the icon ‘Destination’ A14, the icon ‘Number of Copies’ A15and the icon ‘Orientation’ A16 are displayed on the print settingscreen. The user who wants to change the item ‘Paper Size’ taps the icon‘Paper Size’ A11. The content displayed on the icon ‘Paper Size’ A11 ischanged if the icon ‘Paper Size’ A11 is tapped. In this case, thecontent displayed on the icon ‘Paper Size’ A11 is changed from ‘Letter(8½×11″)’ to ‘Legal (8½×14″)’, as shown in FIG. 7B.

If the icon ‘Paper Size’ A11 is tapped again, then the content displayedon the icon ‘Paper Size’ A11 is changed again. In this case, the contentdisplayed on the icon ‘Paper Size’ A11 is changed from ‘Legal (8½×14″)’to ‘Ledger (11×17″)’, as shown in FIG. 7C. The content displayed on theicon ‘Paper Size’ A11 is changed every time the icon ‘Paper Size’ A11 istapped. The content displayed on the icon ‘Paper Size’ A11 is changedback to the ‘Letter (8½×11″)’ shown in FIG. 7A after the icon ‘ PaperSize’ A11 is tapped a specific times.

The display of the other print setting items is changed in the same way.For example, the content displayed on the icon ‘Paper Source’ A12 ischanged from ‘Auto’ to ‘Manual’ if the icon ‘Paper Source’ A12 istapped. Further, the content displayed on the icon ‘Paper Type’ A13 ischanged from ‘Normal’ to ‘printing paper’ after the icon ‘Paper type’A13 is tapped. Moreover, the user taps the icon ‘OK’ A18 after a printsetting is set as desired. The user confirms a print setting by tappingthe icon ‘OK’ A18.

In the image forming system 1, all print items are set through a singleinput operation. For example, the single input operation is an operationsuch as ‘tap icon’. Thus, the user is not required to operate each itemin a different way to set a print setting. Even a person who is not usedto operating the input terminal 300 can operate the image forming system1 easily to carry out input operation for a print setting. Thus, theimage forming system 1 is more convenient to use.

Further, in the image forming system 1, the print setting of a pluralityof items are set through the same input operation. Thus, icons can beshared in the image forming system 1, thereby not needing a plurality oficons which correspond to the characteristics of items. Consequentially,icons can be displayed regularly in the image forming system 1.Specifically, if the input terminal 300 is a smart phone, then thescreen of the input terminal 300 is generally small. In this case, iconsdisplayed on the display section 302 are shared in the input terminal300. In this manner, a plurality of icons can be displayed easily evenon the smart phone having a small display screen.

Further, it is described in the foregoing example that the setting itemicons A11-A16 receive the same input operation. The other icons such asthe icon ‘Next’ A17 and the icon ‘OK’ may also be operated through thesame input operation as the setting item icons A11-A16. The other iconssuch as the icon ‘start printing’ may also be operated through the sameinput operations as that described above. In this case, all the settingitems from the start of a print job to the end of the print job can beexecuted through the same input operation in the image forming apparatus100. Thus, the user can operate the image forming apparatus 100 moreconveniently.

Next, how to operate the input terminal 300 to change the current pageof the print setting screen to the next page is described below. An icon‘Paper Size’ A11, an icon ‘Paper Source’ A12, an icon ‘Paper Type’ A13,an icon ‘Destination’ A14, an icon ‘Number of Copies’ A15 and an icon‘Orientation’ A16 are displayed on the print setting screen for a printsetting, as shown in FIG. 8A. If the item the user desires to set is notincluded in the six items, the user taps the icon ‘Next’ A17. The nextsix icons shown in FIG. 8B are displayed on the print setting screenafter the icon ‘Next’ A17 is tapped. The next six icons shown in FIG. 8Bconsist of an icon ‘Copy Handling’ A21, an icon ‘Duplex’ A22, an icon‘nUp’ A23, an icon ‘Staple’ A24, an icon ‘Hole Punch’ A25 and an icon‘Folding’ A26. The user taps the one of the icons A21-A26 whichcorresponds to the item the user desires to set. The item the userdesires to set is set by tapping the icon corresponding to the item.Moreover, the user taps an icon ‘OK’ A28 after a print setting is set asdesired. The user confirms the print setting by tapping the icon ‘OK’A28.

In this way, in the image forming system 1, if a great number of itemsfor a print setting are arranged, icons corresponding to the printsetting items can be displayed in a plurality of different pages. Inthis case, by setting the icon ‘Next’ A17 for the display of a next pagein advance, the next page can be displayed smoothly. Further, an inputoperation for the icon ‘Next’ A17 is the same as that for the iconsA11-A16 corresponding to print setting items. Thus, the user can makethe next page displayed easily.

In the foregoing embodiments, ‘tap’ and ‘flick’ are listed as a singleinput operation, however, the single input operation may be anotherinput operation. Further, in input operations for determining themovement track of an input operation such as ‘swipe’, the operationshaving the same or similar movement track are the same input operation.Further, in addition to the registered input operation stored in thestorage section 303 of the input terminal 300, the single inputoperation may also be the initially set registered input operation. Oneor more registered input operations may be initially set.

Further, the registered input operation is set through the actual inputoperation executed on the input operation input icon B11 displayed onthe input operation registration screen. Thus, the user can practicallytry to set an input operation which is easy for the user to carry out.Moreover, in the image forming system 1, an input operation the user cancarry out easily can be registered as a registered input operation.Thus, a user-preferred input operation can be set in the image formingsystem 1. The image forming system 1 is consequentially more convenientto use.

Further, a registered input operation can be set specifically for auser, thus avoiding a complicated input operation. A plurality of inputoperations may be registered as registered input operations for eachuser. Further, the device on which an input operation is carried out maybe set to another device different from the input terminal 300. Further,the device on which an input operation is carried out may be the touchpanel 110 of the image forming apparatus 100. Further, even if not beinga touch panel consisting of integrated display section and inputsection, the device on which an input operation is carried out may beanother device.

The foregoing another device may be a personal computer. The inputoperation may be a mouse operation in a case where the foregoing anotherdevice is a personal computer. In this case, the input operation may be‘double-click’ or ‘drag’.

Further, the registered input operation can be set to an input operationcorresponding to a user. By making the input operation registered in thestorage section 303 of the input terminal 300 corresponding to a user, auser-preferred input operation can be set. Thus, convenience for theuser can be further improved. As a registered input operation can beregistered for each user, even a user who is not familiar with aspecific input operation can register a skilled input operation.Alternatively, even a user who is physically incapable of carrying out aspecific input operation can carry out an input operation the user cancarry out.

Further, a single input operation can be set according to differentcontrol method as the single input operation. In the foregoingembodiments, the control method refers to the advance of the display ofthe icon. Herein, the user taps each icon to forward the display of theicon. However, as a control method, the display of the icon is forwardedby tapping the icon and backed by swiping the icon. In this way, singleinput operation can be set corresponding to a control method.

While certain embodiments have been described, these embodiments havebeen presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit thescope of the invention. Indeed, the novel embodiments described hereinmay be embodied in a variety of other forms; furthermore, variousomissions, substitutions and changes in the form of the embodimentsdescribed herein may be made without departing from the spirit of theinvention. The accompanying claims and their equivalents are intended tocover such forms or modifications as would fall within the scope andspirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. An input apparatus, comprising: a processor thatexecutes instructions to perform operations, comprising: displaying, ona display device, various reception images corresponding to variousimage formation settings on functions for image formation; receiving aninput operation carried out by a user on a reception image; andgenerating image formation setting information for the input apparatusto set an image formation setting corresponding to the reception imagesubjected to the input operation after the input section receives theinput operation carried out by the user on a reception image displayedon the display device, wherein a single input operation is received asan input operation for the various image formation settings and an itemfor each of the various image formation settings is changed by the singeinput operation.
 2. The input apparatus according to claim 1,comprising: a touch panel that facilitates the displaying and receiving,wherein the operations further comprise: receiving an operation executedon a reception image corresponding to one of the various image formationsettings displayed on the touch panel.
 3. The input apparatus accordingto claim 2, the operations further comprising: storing the inputoperation to a storage device; and storing an input operation for thereceiving to the storage device, wherein the receiving receives theoperations stored in the storage device for the reception images.
 4. Theinput apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the display devicedisplays an input operation input image; and the operations furthercomprise: receiving an input operation carries out on the displayedinput operation input image; and storing the input operation received tothe storage device.
 5. The input apparatus according to claim 2, whereinthe operations further comprise: receiving a tapping operation carriedout by an organic or inorganic entity on the reception image or aswiping operation towards a given direction carried out by an organic orinorganic entity as the input operation.
 6. The input apparatusaccording to claim 2, wherein reception images corresponding to thevarious image formation settings are displayed on a same screen.
 7. Theinput apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display devicedisplays a confirmation image for confirming the image formationsetting; and the operations further comprise: receiving an inputoperation carried out on the confirmation image through the single inputoperation; and confirming the image formation setting if the inputoperation carried out on the confirmation image is received.
 8. Theinput apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an input operationcorresponding to the operation of the user who carries out the imageformation setting is determined as the single input operation.
 9. Animage forming system comprising an input apparatus, an image formingapparatus, and a processor, wherein the input apparatus comprisesfacilitating the processor to execute operations to perform operations,comprising: displaying, on a display device, various reception imagescorresponding to various image formation settings on functions for imageformation; receiving an input operation carried out by a user on areception image; and generating image formation setting information forthe image forming apparatus to set an image formation settingcorresponding to the reception image subjected to the input operationafter receiving the input operation carried out by the user on areception image displayed on the display device, wherein a single inputoperation is received as an input operation of the user to carry out thevarious image formation settings and an item for each of the variousimage formation settings is changed by the single input operation, andthe image forming apparatus comprises facilitating the processor toexecute operations to perform operations, comprising: setting an imageformation setting corresponding to the image formation settinginformation; and forming an image based on the image formation setting.10. A non-transitory computer readable medium, comprising executableinstructions that, when executed by a processor, facilitate performanceof operations, comprising: displaying various reception imagescorresponding to various image formation settings on functions for imageformation; receiving an input operation carried out by a user on anreception image; and generating image formation setting information foran image forming apparatus to set an image formation settingcorresponding to the reception image subjected to the input operationafter an input section receives the input operation carried out by auser on a reception image displayed on a display device, wherein theinput section receives a single input operation as an input operationcarried out by the user to set the various image formation settings andan item for each of the various image formation settings is changed bythe single input operation.